Results for Fiji

Following the Fiji Government's sudden arrest and deportation of Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the USP Council on Friday, appointed Tonga’s Dr Masasso Paunga as interim Acting Vice-Chancellor. Tonga’s USP representatives are part of sub-committee looking into the deportation issues.

A Fiji $2 million grant to help Fiji recover from the devastating impact of Cyclone Yasa was dispatched by the Asian Development Bank on 24 December. Damage assessments indicated that about 93,000 people, or 10% of the population were directly affected.

Weather watchers are following Tropical Cyclone Yasa [995hpa], moving slowly toward Fiji today, bringing thunderstorms and showers to the area. The Cat.1 storm is expected to strengthen over the next few days.

New York Times reporting: An unexpected contest over the 2021 presidency of the U.N. Human Rights Council is pitting some of the United Nations' most powerful member states against tiny Pacific Island nations and is playing out as U.N. members jockey for influence in anticipation of a new, more engaged U.S. administration.

Two repatriation flights are scheduled to arrive at Fua’amotu International Airport tomorrow, Wednesday, from Fiji and Kiribati confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola. Tonga Police and military will cordon off the restricted areas from noon on September 2 until midnight on September 18.

The COVID19 pandemic has upended economies the world over, while there is financial pain there is also an opportunity for the reorganisation of national and global economics. Fiji's economic fault lines have been exposed under the pressures of COVID-19, exposing the gaps through which people and communities are falling. As governments continue to act to support economies undone by the pandemic it's important to see that any community relief that is being offered also has an eye to the future. By Maureen Penjueli.

The President of Nauru and incoming Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Lionel Aingimea says the institution has been hijacked after Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia was stood down pending an investigation on allegations of material misconduct.

Sagufta Salma, from Fiji, has won a regional Commonwealth Youth Award and a £3,000 grant for her enterprise in turning waste material into sustainable furniture and home accessories. The awards were presented in London this week.

The Fijian Ministry for Foreign Affairs may invite Tongan counterparts to have talks over a long standing territorial dispute over the Tele ki Tonga and Tele ki Tokelau Reefs, also known as Minerva Reef. Tonga says it is a “misunderstanding”.